Matthew 27 continues the story of the events leading up to
Jesus’ death…
“Which of the two do you want me to release to
you?” asked the governor. “Barabbas,” they answered. “What
shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked. They
all answered, “Crucify him!”… Then he
released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and
handed him over to be crucified.
To be flogged is to be beaten with a whip or
stick in order to torture.
Pilate asked the crowd who they wanted released
to them, and although Jesus had been guilty of no sin, they wanted him
crucified. He was accused of blasphemy
because he agreed that he was the son of God.
It would seem from this story that Jesus fell
into the hands of an evil crowd, and they were allowed to hurt Jesus over and
over again. We’ve seen movies that
depict this scene of Jesus being beaten, whipped, and scourged until his flesh
is torn and blood runs down his back. It’s
a horrible scene to watch.
I know there are many children who grow up to be
adults, with memories of being beaten and whipped by abusers. Or perhaps they were beaten down with words
of accusation and shame, which left them with the lowest of the low in
self-esteem. And all of that suffering many have experienced was for no good
reason at all, except they were young and vulnerable and a target for evil.
Jesus knows our pain, even the worst kind of pain
imaginable. He knows what it’s like to
be accused, beaten, thrown to those who wanted to kill him…and he experienced
it all…so you and I can live.
Jesus came to bring us out of evil into the
light. His intent was never for you to
be beaten or abused. That happened
because of sin.
You want someone to understand your pain? Jesus does.
Pray to him and ask him…and he will comfort and
heal.
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